EFFECT OF BIOCHAR AND VERMICOMPOST ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF EXPORT AND PROCESSING POTATO

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy research field, Sher-e- Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from November 2019 to February 2020 in Rabi season to find out the effect of biochar and vermicompost on yield and quality of export and processing potato. The experiment had two factors. Factor A: Biochar: 4 levels; B 1 : 2.50 t ha⁻ ¹, B 2 ii : 5.00 t ha⁻ ¹, B 3 : 7.50 t ha⁻ ¹ and B : 10.00 t ha⁻ ¹ and Factor B: Vermicompost: 4 levels; V 1 : 2.50 t ha⁻ ¹, V : 5.00 t ha⁻ ¹, V 3 : 7.50 t ha⁻ ¹ and V : 10.00 t ha⁻ ¹. The variety was BARI Alu-29 (Courage). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three (3) replications. The different levels of biochar and vermicompost individually and in combination had significant effect on most of the growth, yield and quality contributing parameters of potato. Most of the parameters studied in this experiment were increased with the increasing biochar and vermicompost levels. The biochar level of 7.5 t ha⁻ ¹ produced the maximum yield per plant (270.915 g) whereas, the lowest yield per plant (217.33 g) was obtained from 2.50 t ha⁻ ¹ of biochar application. Similarly, the highest yield plant −1 4 (270 g) was achieved from 10.0 t ha⁻ ¹ of vermicompost application whereas, the lowest yield plant −1 (223.42 g) was found from 2.50 t ha⁻ ¹

of vermicompost application. Among the 16 treatment combinations, the maximum average tuber weight (26.60 g) was produced in B while the minimum average tuber weight (17.36 g) was observed in B 1 V treatment. The highest tuber yield (292.00 g) was recorded in B 3 V 4 1 treatment combination. The highest marketable yield (262.80 g) was recorded in B 3 V combination treatment. In case of dry matter and starch content, biochar @ 10 t ha⁻ ¹ produced the best performance compared to other doses when 10 t ha⁻ ¹ of vermicompost were applied in combination. Although the application of 10 ha⁻ ¹ biochar and 10 ha⁻ ¹ vermicompost showed the maximum yield and quality attributes but the combination of 7.5 ha⁻ ¹ biochar and 7.5 ha⁻ ¹ vermicompost is suitable for producing higher yield and good quality potato. So, this combination could be recommended for getting higher tuber yield,good quality and economically more profitable for farmers.